Free Agency Preview: Tight Ends

Depth Chart:

1. Crockett Gillmore
2. Maxx Williams
3. Konrad Reuland
4. Allen Reisner
5. Dennis Pitta (PUP)

2015 Recap:

Many of the Ravens positions were ravaged with injuries this season and tight end was definitely one of them. Gillmore and Williams were up and down with injuries and the surprise of the season Nick Boyle was suspended the final four games of the season when the team had unfortunately lost Gillmore for the rest of the year as well. 

Minus the injuries and suspensions, the group of Gillmore, Williams and Boyle performed well. Gillmore shined in his first season as the number one option at tight end while Williams took some time to develop. He had some production in the last few games of the season when Boyle and Gillmore were out. 

Potential Free Agent Additions:

Jermaine Gresham UFA:  Gresham is coming off of an unimpressive role in a potent Cardinals offense from 2015. Gresham had only 18 catches and 1 TD in the regular season, quite the fall from his 62 catches and 5 TDs in 2014. What he would add is a veteran presence to a young group of players with the possible upside to the player we once saw. He is younger(27) than any of the other viable options (Antonio Gates, 35 or Vernon Davis, 32). The issues he may have had with the Cardinals could have been he wasn't an important part of the offense, mainly driven by deep threat receivers and a power running game. When you watched their games it seemed Larry Fitzgerald was their short yard receiver in the offense as opposed to in Baltimore where you may see Flacco go to his tight end more often than his slot receiver.

Coby Fleener UFA: Of the two I would prefer Fleener. However I don't see Luck's security blanket getting out of Indy. While Fleener is coming off a subpar season, he was performing like that because of the team playing their worst QB. Only nabbing 3 TDs and 491 yards with nearly the same amount of targets as the two previous seasons. Once again, this was without Luck who, by far, is the team's most accurate passer. IF Fleener got out of Indy I would love to see him in purple and black, however it seems like more of a pipe dream.

2016 Outlook:

One name mentioned above in this piece was that of Nick Boyle, who was recently suspended for the first 10 games of the 2016 season for once again violating the league's substance abuse policy. He was again caught with PEDs in his system. More than likely ending his short career with the team. Harbaugh isn't a guy who enjoys being proved wrong and he thought Boyle had learned from his mistake at the end of last season. 

This could be the season of the Pitta comeback...or not. There is really no definite answer whether he will or won't just that he is trying. However with two young tight ends shining and Ozzie's ability to find value in free agents and the draft when it comes to his old position, I don't see how Boyle will still be on the team after his suspension is up and Pitta's potential comeback. Expect the team to roll once again with Gillmore and Williams as their top 2 options at the position. 

He Said She Said: More Pees Please

For months now we have all heard Raven nation nearly come after Dean Pees with pitch forks all over social media and radio. Blaming him completely for all the Ravens shortcomings and damn near all of their losses. There is a rift between fans and even some writers at Purple Reign. Some wanting him out of here yesterday with others focusing on how much of the problems were lack of depth, something out of his control. Without further adieu, here is how Ashley Anderson and I broke it all down.

First we asked ourselves, what has Pees brought to the team? How have they performed under his tutelage?

Ashley's take:


Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens have exercised nearly unquestioned loyalty to assistant coaches. Virtually the only time you will see a coach leave is if he has a more lucrative opportunity elsewhere like when Gary Kubiak left for Denver to become their head coach, otherwise, they tend to stick around regardless of performance. The most recent example of this is defensive coordinator Dean Pees who has been with the team since 2011. Pees was first hired to be the linebackers coach, making the switch to DC in 2012.

Since then, the Ravens have finished 12th, 12th, 6th, and 24th in points per game allowed. For YEars, Baltimore was known for its shut down defense that punished opponents who had the audacity to try to score, but they no longer elicit the same fear. While they may not be wholly inconsistent, the Ravens defense is the opposite of clutch, repeatedly surrendering long drives in crucial situations. Just this season alone they blew four fourth quarter leads. Had the Ravens won those four games, they would have finished a respectable 9-7.

Brandan's take:

While I agree that the defense has under performed at times this season (especially late in games early in 2015), the team did well towards the end of the season.  I would say the big turnaround was the loss to the Jags. They held off the Rams (albeit with a concussed Case Keenum at the helm) and managed to beat the Steelers with their most powerful tandem healthy. Sure, they were awful against the Seahawks. Even good teams looked bad against them. My biggest beef was their inability to create turnovers and I'm not crazy enough to base their late success in that field on one game (Steelers) where Ben was giving them away like Oprah.

I feel like the biggest issue this season was our team's inability to stay healthy on either side of the ball but our playmakers on defense (such as a decent pass rusher like Terrell Suggs) that struck that fear into opposing teams weren't there. While it is on Pees to figure out how to get to the QB without Suggs he eventually found players to fill that void. There were injuries all over the defensive line and we all knew going into the season that our secondary was amateur at best. You can't fault Pees in Elam's season ending injury in the preseason (we're talking about practice no less) or what was in the water this season with a bulk of the team. Our best corner came out and said he played through the pain of his nagging foot injury from last season (Jimmy Smith). Whether or not that is a true statement I have no idea but I have to side with Pees. He didn't have the pieces to make it work. I love Ozzie but I think he failed us this season. I mean look what Pees did with that sewn together secondary last year! We finished 6th in points per game allowed, you said it yourself! We should have beat the damn Patriots!

 9-7 wouldn't have gotten us anywhere except damage the team, We would still have had to watch the Steelers and Bengals march into the postseason. Our depth would still be terrible.

Moving on! I love a good turnover, who doesn't. Thoughts?

Ashley's take:

This was a major issue in 2015, the lack of turnovers. As a team, the Ravens had a total of six interceptions; five individuals met or exceeded that number across the NFL. It may be difficult to coach turnovers, but there are exercises such as the tip drill that are designed to bring a clear focus on winning the ball. I do not bear witness to every Ravens practice, so it is entirely possible that they do work on these things, but the defensive backs clearly lack killer instinct.

Brandan's take:

I agree that the lack of turnovers was despicable. I think what we can also agree on is this team's lack of depth at corner which we have all been talking about since Ed Reed left. What kills me about that name is that he would have been very valuable, to whatever young defensive backs we bring in, as a secondary coach. Unfortunately we all get to watch that pan out in Buffalo. I am interested to see what Leslie Frazier will bring to the table as the coach of the secondary in the upcoming season. Who knows, maybe his presence will keep Pees on his p's and q's(could't resist). After avoiding the corner position in last year's draft I'm hoping that they wise up after this season.

Okay, next topic: development of players

Ashley's take:

One has to wonder how Pees is functioning as a scout and key aspect of player development. In recent years, Baltimore has spent high draft picks on Arthur Brown (2nd round), Matt Elam (1st round) and Terrance Brooks (3rd round), yet they continue to lack explosive playmakers. The team also added Will Hill, Kyle Arrington and Kendrick Lewis via free agency to help improve a depleted secondary but only Hill has really panned out thus far.

So who is the problem? Does it start all the way at the top with Ozzie Newsome making poor draft and free agency choices, or is someone else failing these players once they arrive in Baltimore? My belief is that Dean Pees is responsible for the overall struggles on defese, particularly since there is a disconnect with player development under his direction. On a personal note, it also drives me crazy that Pees calls plays from the booth because that seems to cause difficulty making in-game adjustments.

Brandan's take:

Okay, I get what you're saying. Pees can't develop film (before digital pics kids...ah screw it just google it). Terrance Cody was awful and Elam wasn't really a factor before his season ending injury this year. Add to that the failures in Arthur Brown (who was passed by Zach Orr on the depth chart) and Brooks and you've got yourself quite a fail list. Ozzie isn't used to failing on the defensive side of the ball in the draft. Offense(other than tight end) sure but defense, not so much. I don't believe that this is all on Ozzie but he has to take some of the blame here. What you are missing are the surprising value from undrafted(Orr) or late round picks like Brandon Williams(3rd round, 2013)


This season though once the replacements had enough reps, we started to see what monsters Williams, Timmy Jernigan(2nd round, 2014) and Za'Darius Smith(4th round, 2015) truly are. Williams and Jernigan don't have eye popping stats as most defensive tackles won't however they have truly been disruptive in the backfield causing an easier lane for Smith to the QB. Smith (in limited action) was able to get 5.5 sacks this season (more than Courtney Upshaw has in his career) with 3 of those being against the hated Steelers. Personally, even the Steeler loving wife enjoyed his sacks on Michael Vick. Last season's draft class performed better than I could have imagined. It's just unfortunate that none of those were corners. Carl Davis(3rd round, 2015) started the season well but unfortunately fell off as more and more players at the position healed up. Honestly he couldn't really see the field once Jernigan got healthy and Williams kept being awesome.


You're thoughts on him being in the booth calling plays does sound a bit crazy. Dom Capers does it in Green Bay but then again it's also -20 wind chill up there sometimes. There are too many ways for on field communication for that to matter on game day. Yes, the radio can go out and they would be screwed but how often does that happen in places that don't rhyme with boo tingland.

Okay fine, IF we fire him, who would we hire?

Ashley's take:

If the Ravens were to part ways with Pees, there are other candidates available to filll the void. For example, current Panthers DC Sean McDermott may be interested in a change of scenery after spending the last four years in Carolina, particularly if he does not draw interest as a a head coach. Jim Schwartz has frequently been mentioned as a possibility and he is an intriguing option since he already has head coaching experience. Moreover, Schwartz has a fiery personality, similar to that of Rex Ryan, and he could help give the defense an edgier attitude that they lack under Pees.

Brandan's take:

First of all, there is absolutely no way McDermott goes anywhere right now with his team about to play for the NFC championship. The only way I see him leaving is to go on to be a head coach somewhere. He is an excellent coach with fantastic core players, stupid for him to leave when he can use that to his advantage in getting a promotion. Which in my opinion would not be the Ravens, HUGE step down from Carolina. As far as your other option I gotta say, I like the idea. Schwartz is best known for wanting to beat the hell out of Jim Harbaugh(when he refused to shake hands when Schwartz was the head coach in Detroit). So somehow, I don't think John is going to hire him. He does tend to take things personal and especially doesn't want anyone who can upend him as the king of the roost. I don't want another Kubiak or Caldwell type situation where we have a guy for a year and BOOM he's out to be a head coach somewhere else right away. I'd be happier with the situation we have now with Pees in there and someone looming as a position coach. What if Frazier develops/improves the secondary under Pees' watch? All of us as fans would take that in a heartbeat!

"Okay, enough you two! We can't take it anymore! Just get this over with!," says everyone on the interweb.

Ashley:

In closing, this argument reminds me very clearly of Cam Cameron and the great debate about firing him year-after-year when the offense underwhelmed. John Harbaugh did not want to hurt his good friend, so Cameron lingered long past his stay potentially costing the Ravens additional chances to win the Super Bowl. When they finally did cut ties, Jim Caldwell took over and helped Joe Flacco orchestrate postseason history with 11 TDs to zero picks. 'Nuff said.

Brandan:

I feel like that is a bit of a stretch to compare Cameron (who was allegedly an offensive mastermind/guru) and Pees who has never had that kind of clout. Pees was successful in New England and has had some bright spots here in Baltimore as the defensive coordinator. Has it all been pretty? No! In all honesty, after this season I know that someone has to get the blame and there will be changes among the staff. As stated before, Leslie Frazier's hire is a good one and I look forward to seeing what his presence will do for the defense. I feel like I'm supporting the losing cause here, a losing presidential candidate who is up for re-election. Ah screw it, FOUR MORE YEARS, FOUR MORE YEARS!

Let us know how you feel Baltimore. Does Pees need to go? Does he need one more chance? Should I cue up the Notorious B.I.G.? That answer, as always, is yes!

Trading for a Crock...ett

It literally takes half of a football team to bring down the beast that is Crockett Gillmore. Unfortunately, with the season playing out like it did some have been clamoring to move pieces around for better prospects. One of those pieces could legitimately be Gillmore. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to trade him.

If there is one thing we learned this season it was that this team has a huge problem with depth. Where you may ask? Everywhere! The main place there wasn't a huge drop off was the tight end position thanks to Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle and Dan "that wasn't pass interference dude" Brown actually showing the hell up throughout the season. However, I'm going to tell you all to pump your brakes on moving Gillmore.

To back up the "let's keep Crockett" campaign we gotta talk about the backups. You know, to prove his value to the team. Now while I agree that Maxx Williams FINALLY showed up towards the end of the season, I was hoping for more. There seemed to be more clutch drops than catches early on and he was quite injury prone. Yes he played in 14 games but had a late start due to missing some serious time in the preseason. Plus the dude only grabbed 1 TD. When we drafted him I expected him to be like Todd Heap, so far I have been disappointed. He looked to be very athletic in his Minnesota days and could clearly jump over any linebacker in his path. Speaking of hurdling defenders, the early surprise of the season was Flacco's fellow Blue Hen Nick Boyle. I need to see him compete in a season where he isn't on PEDs before I claim that he is as good as he looked during this season. Until then, I can't remain Boyle Loyal. When he was suspended we turned to Dan Brown, who most people remember for his phantom offensive pass interference call. He was drafted as a wide receiver (as I have talked about before) and seems small to be a tight end. His hands were strong nevertheless but other than Boyle I'm not confident in any of their abilities in blocking.

Let's take a look back in history. Remember the Patriots, before Aaron Hernandez started killing EVERYONE (please not me buddy I have a family) and the Pats leaned on him and Gronk? Remember how powerful that offense was? Sure you do, Brady had his best season since his knee injury with those two as his security blanket. Who has Flacco palled around with in previous seasons enough to make his wife jealous? Why his tight end of course!

I know, phrasing. Anyway more strong tight end play isn't a bad thing. Having multiple tight ends who can perform at a top level would be ideal. Gillmore (although he was injured) had a strong season having more yards and TDs than any of his counterparts. Honestly how much could we get for an injury prone TE who had less than 500 yards anyway?

That being said I feel like it would be crazy to trade away a developed piece of our offense who was starting to build chemistry with Flacco the way that Dennis Pitta (who is clearly not walking through that door) used to. Now all we can do as fans is watch and wait. Watch our rivals in the postseason and pay wayyyyyyyyyy too much attention to Mel Kiper Jr.

Five Reasons...to Keep Watching Ravens Games

Before any of you try to give me a hard time about not hating in a long time think about this. How hard is it to hate on anyone when you are trying SO hard to figure out what you like about your crapfest of a team? I have an answer for you, pretty damn hard. Now I could easily have complained about the Rams, Dolphins or this week's fabulous opponent the Chiefs but no. I can't do it. Baltimore won't let me.

It has come to my attention that because we are terrible many "fans" have decided to tune out, not giving one iota about this team. That to me is a problem. If you are a "fan" I believe you stick through thick and thin. This season is pretty damn thin, Calista Flockhart thin. So I think some of us need to remember the reason why we should keep tuning in.

1) Duh, football season is only 4-5 months out of the year

The same people that are bitching that they won't watch Ravens games anymore this year, who have sold the remainder of their season tickets and who are probably communists (that last part may or may not be true) are going to be the same ones bitching there is no football until August come March. No one can have it both ways. I mean, do what most fans do. Bandwagon hop. Just stay the hell off social media ya poser! We know you haven't been a Panther fan since '99 and don't gimme that AFC/NFC team bullshit. I don't want to hear it. I'm just saying, want a better viewing experience? Watch anyone else in the division races UNLESS, they are in the NFC East.

2) Jarvaihudflkjahl Allen

Point being, stop trying to say his first name. You couldn't even say Ngata right commentators, you damn sure aren't saying Javorius correctly. Call him Buck, we in Baltimore are huge fans of Buck.

Shit, wrong one. Either way, we here are interested to see how both of them are going to do. Allen has shown that he can in fact be productive out of the backfield and possibly could give Forsett a run for the starting job. Taliaferro has been injury prone in his short career and it is clear (so far) that Allen is more dynamic out of the backfield as a receiver than he is. While Allen has yet to clear the 100 yard rushing mark he did drop a 100+ yards receiving against the Browns. Yes I know, they are terrible but he still did it! We need to figure out what we have back there because we really don't have any solid players at the running back position who have proven to be a dominant force for more than one season.

3) K.O. is LT

Okay, I promise not to bash Eugene Monroe too much in this section. I mean, if I do he might be out all of next season with damaged pride and low self esteem. Since coming to Baltimore, Monroe has been lackluster and injured. Not a good combination. Osemele, on the other hand, has been very productive as a guard and is going to be a free agent in the offseason. With the Ravens extending Yanda they can't put all that money towards the guard position. However, if Osemele dominates as a left tackle they can make it rain in his general direction. They threw him right into the wolves this past week with Seattle and it isn't like its going to get better moving forward. Chiefs, Steelers and Bengals all have an impressive pass rush that should really test whether or not Osemele can achieve man among bitches status. For our sake, let's hope he does.

4) Flaccups?

Honestly, this hurts to watch on Sunday. However, as fans we have to wonder who will be there to backup Flacco if this knee injury prolongs the start to his 2016 season. Add to the equation massive whiny pants Ryan Mallett  who has led the league in complaining (a technique he learned in New England I'm sure) this season. Both Schaub and Claussen have been seen taking reps with the first team this week but you have to figure that these last few weeks will decide who will still be on the roster next season. From what I have seen (Mallett isn't even in the conversation) Schaub hasn't played himself out of the job if he in fact wants it next year. Claussen managed to not completely ruin the game until the second half when he realized, "Shit, I'm Jimmy Claussen! I have only won 1 NFL game in my career and this defense is hard. Sherman looks like he wants the ball, I'll throw to him!'

That being said expect either Schaub or Mallett to start the final two games. It all depends on how Harbs(or his QB) is feeling.

5) Would a real Wide Receiver Please Stand Up?!?

Honestly there are only a couple of names that stand out from our receiving core. One of them is technically a tight end. Kamar Aiken has been improving over the past few weeks and Dan Brown(as the last man standing in a decimated tight end depth chart) has been very impressive. If there is one thing this team can clearly do, it's seeing talent and developing that talent in tight ends. Makes sense with Ozzie at the helm. Amusingly enough Brown was cut from the practice squad the day after Thanksgiving(as a wide receiver). Only to be signed after sooooooooooooooooo many injuries. With that out there we really need to see what guys like Jeremy Butler, Chris Givens and Kaelin Clay. Clay has been impressive in the return game but hasn't done much else. Butler has been more involved the past two weeks so we shall see. All in all as fans and analysts alike, we need to keep an eye on this for the future,

If there is one thing that has been proven this season is that this team lacks depth. Anywhere. More than anything the remainder of this season is about improving that depth. Not only in our roster but our sanity as fans. So cheer up Baltimore, it's only going to be one down year. Right? RIGHT?!?!

Five Things I Hate About...the Arizona Cardinals

Okay so, we're terrible. We're more than likely not going to the postseason and perhaps we should start watching some prospects for the draft. Unfortunately we aren't in the NFC East where 7-9 might win the division. However, just because our team is awful doesn't mean I can't hate our opponents guts. Besides, all your spirits need lifting, I have heard how depressed people sound on sports radio. It's like our dog died.

Nonetheless, the hate shall flow through me...

1) It's a dry heat...

First of all, its f-ing hot. Let's just leave it at that. This isn't a damn Science class where I need you to explain the humidity differences and blah blah. It's 100+, I don't wanna hear that crap. It's like the most common thing you hear about when people talk about traveling or living in Arizona. Convos go like this..
"Hey buddy, where did you say you went on vacation?"
"We went out west to Arizona."
"Oh man, was it hot?"
"Yeah but it's different, it's a dry heat."

Shut up, just shut the hell up. Talk about the desert, or the desserts you had in the desert you non-spelling fools. Just stop talking about the damn heat.

2) They literally die on our fantasy roster

I have been playing fantasy sports for what feels like an eternity. Without a shadow of a doubt, every damn time I draft a Cardinal player with some upside he gets hurt. Yes, it's usually a running back. I to this day would still punch Tim Hightower in the face. That goalline vulture was fantastic for me in his rookie season. So I kept getting him, injury, poor performance lose job. In recent years it has been Andre Ellington. Oh what's that? You drafted one of the infinite quarterbacks they had in recent memory? Well I mean, they only had three start last year. Oh you drafted their stellar defense? Their leading pass rusher gets hurt. It's like Bad Luck Brian with this team. Drafts Andre Ellington, Tears ACL in Week 2. 

3) They didn't beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII

This would give the Steelers their 6th championship and an infinite amount of time to talk trash until someone wins a 6th or we go 2-14 with both wins being against the Steelers. That would be awful for everyone involved. However, this also gave us the longest play in Super Bowl history as we all got to time James Harrison scamper (huff, puff and nearly die) on his 100 yard return. My wife lost her mind...I just had to sit there and smile. In case you forgot (enjoy the Madden flashback)

Thanks again for that memory Arizona(and Kurt Warner). You let us down.

4) For the first time in as long as I can remember, we were a sure thing to bet against

Okay, you aren't ignorant. There are gamblers out there and prognosticators who pick games for a living. Generally, if you don't know how it works, they pick a few games and then will pick their "locks of the week," "guarandamntee of the week," "sure thing of the week," or "we ran out of creative ways to say this pick of the week." This week on ESPN, one of their talking heads (might have been cousin Sal from Jimmy Kimmel) dropped the Cardinals as his sure thing this week. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think the man has a bad choice there. We are god awful and this Arizona defense is relentless. That being said....it still pissed me off. Being a bad team sucks.

5) Larry Fitzgerald has found the fountain of youth

Remember when his decline meant the end of his career? Well, so much for that. He has been on a stellar run (which while great for my fantasy team sucks for my actual team). Fitz is starting to look like he will have one of those Steve Smith Sr. seasons like Smith had last year. Great for about half the season (like if you have Fitz on fantasy you should have traded him 2 weeks ago) and then fall off. Honestly he has already started to. I assure you that he will gain "man among bitches" status for this game as our secondary is lackluster to say the least. This team is full of weapons as it is, honestly two is three too many for the Ravens secondary to worry about. 

Well there you have it. No matter how much our team falters, I will still hate with the best of them. Although, I have to say, we might be due for a list of things that are pissing me off about the Ravens. I'm an equal opportunity hater. I damn near hate everyone! Until we hate again.

Five Things I Hate About....the San Francisco 49ers

credit: NFL Memes

I know people. How can one man continue his hatred of other franchises when his team is in such disarray. Well, it's pretty damn easy. Just keep the hate strong and maybe a win will come along to make it that much sweeter. Besides, we all need to laugh at this point. Sure, we made Josh McCown look like Joe Montana, the good news is that the last guy mentioned retired years ago. So when we head to San Fran we are playing another bad team.

So without further adieu, let's get this hate train rolling!

1)Colin Kaepernick...is a terrorist

Or is he Squidward, some midget in a Spiderman costume, Gonzo from the Muppets, a large nosed monkey? No one truly nose....errr I mean knows. Honestly just think of someone, anyone with a big nose and that is your guy. Your accountant? You betcha! Skeeter from Doug? Why the hell not?!? The guy has a ski slope for a nose and a dirt spot on his chin, pretty easy target bro. Might as well wear a dart board on your back.

credit: NFL Memes

2) Who's got it better than them....

Well currently not us, however Michigan seems to be better than them. Half the league seems to be better than both of us. How about we let that one die with Jim Harbaugh rolling out of town. This was just an annoying thing that they did that really just pissed me off. It's much worse than whodey, whodat, here we go....wait, nothing is more annoying than that damned Steeler song. Anyway...shut up niner fans.

3) For the last time, you LOST the damn Super Bowl in 2013

credit; sportsmemes.net

Okay, we know, calls were missed. You don't have to be so butthurt about it. Saying the game was fixed because of Ray Lewis (who maybe you should have exploited more cause he couldn't cover a damn thing in that game) is bogus. The game was fixed because your idiotic coach got too cute and gave up on the run when it was CLEARLY working late in the game. The game was fixed because of over a half hour delay when the Ravens were DESTROYING you which allowed your niners to get back in the game. The game was fixed because Jimmy Smith interfered with Crabtree, he held him. Well...that part even Smith admitted was true. However....run the damn ball. As a former fan of this team in my youth (when Montana was king) I understand your frustration but as a current fan of my hometown Ravens I've got two words for ya...

4) Your coach looks like a porn star

While I have to debate with myself if that is awesome or not, I gotta say that the amount of memes with him and Ron Jeremy are bugging the living hell out of me. I mean there really isn't much more to say about this other than show you these...

I know that last one is just Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force but that one is a classic. Total classic.

5) Jesus, we know 5 championships

Now there are a lot of memes with old ladies in them talking about the last living cheerleader when the niners won. While that was nearly 20 years ago (Young over the Chargers), the memes are just ridiculous. Mostly from Seahawks bandwagoners no doubt but I will save that for another hate article. Needless to say their last win was that one sided affair back in 1995 and they haven't won since. The Ravens and Niners were the only two teams to never have lost a Super Bowl in their franchises history. We all know how that turned out. I really think the arguments regarding titles needs to be if you were a fan (alive) at the time of said championship and if you want to debate me there, fine. Name me some people from the roster without your phone, google, internet, smoke signals, your best friends hand signals or whatever. Naming just Montana, Rice, Young or Clark will not get you bonus points. What's that? You got nothing, thought so...douche.

There you have it. I don't know how much longer I can keep may rage regarding my own team encased. I might have to let it loose sooner...rather than later. Until we hate again.

Five Things I Hate About...the Cleveland Browns

It is pretty easy to hate this team. Unlike the Raiders (even though they have looked surprisingly not terrible) the Browns are a division rival of a town our team "migrated" from. While I do utterly enjoy their awful ability (most of the time) to play the game of football, there are times where they do surprise us. Unfortunately, that doesn't make me hate them any less.

1) They act like Art Modell was Robert Irsay

First of all, shut up. Second of all, shut up. I mean, the man moved a team with plenty of notice and let the city keep the history. Sure, I know it sucks that the team left. Let's be real, if they stayed in Cleveland they weren't going to win the Super Bowl like the Ravens did. Unless this is an alternate universe and your team was actually good. It has gotten to the point where a fan went to his grave and relieved himself on it. I mean, that is class with a capital GFY. Kids tell your parents to google that one. Anyway, Modell and Irsay aren't in the same conversation. When a man leaves you in the middle of the night with no notice and runs off with a franchise you call me you whiny losers!

Wait don't, I don't think I have enough anytime minutes.

2) Viewing Johnny Manziel like the team drafted the G.O.A.T.

Watching this poor over privileged kid suffer his bumps and bruises is very amusing. Mostly because it just means the Browns have no idea what to do. The thing that got me was ESPNs wall to wall coverage of the kid. WHY? I mean, let's just be honest with ourselves. I am! I know that Ozzie Newsome can't draft a top tier wideout. Everything else, sure. The modern day Browns CAN'T draft and develop a quarterback. Let's look at your craptacular history with the second coming. Just since 2009 you have had 12 quarterbacks start, (22 since you reentered the league in 1999). You have ruined the lives of Brady Quinn, Tim Couch, Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy just to name a few. Do yourself a favor and pick up from the trash heap of the rest of the league and leave the drafting of QBs to the professionals. Morons!

3) They think they are going to the playoffs every year

I'm all for supporting your team. We had lovable losers for 14 straight seasons over at Camden Yards. We accepted their inability to win until they actually were playing well IN THE END OF THE SEASON! I don't care if your P.O.S. team is playing well up until week 4. They more than likely have a new coach who hasn't proven squat and neither has upper management. When they still matter in week 10, fine. When I see their fans going ape after 4 weeks of the season and they are miraculously in first (obviously not this year but for example, 2013 when the Steelers were 0-4). Easy Romeo. You're team isn't consistent enough to brag at all. Let nature take it's course and have the season smash their head with a rock.

4) The Dog...Dawg...Duhog...whatever pound

Look, I don't get it. I don't understand the association with dogs and your team. It makes no damn sense. Most of you are wearing those stupid, glum dog masks. What's your deal? Ugly face? Big Arsenio Hall fan? Not wanting to be seen at a Browns game perhaps? Either way, I'm going to need you to give me a history lesson to tie the two together. Wait, scratch that, I don't care. Enjoy watching hot garbage on the field loser.

5) Cleveland does NOT in fact, rock

I've never been to Cleveland but I hear it's pretty awful there. Oooooo the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....and we're done sight seeing. I mean, you can try and blame Lebron leaving on effecting the downtown area but he's back now so you can't blame Lebron for anything....can you? Your best known for being utter failures so if you could just keep doing that that would be great. Stay crappy Cleveland!

Man, the hate is strong. That wraps up this edition. Think I took it easy on them? Feel free to jump in the comments with your suggestions for more hate towards Cleveland. It's so easy, even a caveman could do it.

A Look at the Schedule

So here we are, a quarter of our way through the NFL season. That certainly escalated quickly. It tends to happen when our Ravens have started the season on the rough side going a mere 1-3 in their first four. In all honesty, I only thought they would be one game better at this point so let's see what the rest of this season has in store shall we.

We have four more games before our bye in week 9. Pretty sweet time for that to be right in the middle of the season. Considering our lack of depth at receiver earlier may have been better but we can't foresee our receiving core falling apart. The four games are split into two roadies after this week's home game against the Browns. That dumpster fire at the QB position leads me to believe that we should be able to hold strong at home. While I know this is a division opponent and anything can happen, the Ravens are the better team and should win this one. We head out to the west coast for the next two starting with the San Francisco 49ers. What the hell happened to this team? Half of their defense retired, their QB forgot how to play football and they have been an utter disappointment since week 2. I'm pretty sure that Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin are going to put on a little show to rub in us not having them. That is, if Kap can even get the ball to them. More than likely the team will not stay on the west coast (due to their utter failure earlier in the season doing the same thing) so expect them to come home and practice out the week before heading off to Arizona for their first Monday night game of the year. I was high on the Cardinals and figured Larry Fitzgerald found the fountain of youth. They aren't unbeatable, hell the Rams just beat them at their house so it is possible. We follow that up with an epic rematch against the Chargers back at home. We owe them for that heartbreaking loss from a year ago and this is a team that is hurting as much as us on the offensive side of the ball but by then could be healthy. Gates is back after serving his four game suspension but who knows if he stays healthy through the next three games.

So my fearless prediction:
vs. Browns - W, @49ers - W, @Cardinals - L, vs. Chargers W
Which would bring us back to a .500 record before the bye. At this point kiddies we have to take that considering the circumstances.

Our next four seem a bit easier all things considered. The toughest opponent is the second game after the bye. We start with the Jags, that doesn't even seem fair. Blake Bortles does seem to have improved since last season but honestly how couldn't he? Harbaugh has only lost 1 game after the bye week. However the Rams come to our house the following week to throw a wrench in our plans of fixing the season. The team is too inconsistent to really sway this game one way or the other. One thing that is certain is we need to contain Gurley and hope to God Tavon Austin is sick that day. We follow that up by heading to the toilet bowl of the AFC north when we stomp into Cleveland for another Monday night game. Now before you get all, "oh we're gonna stomp those idiots into the ground!" Remember that we have stumbled on Monday night before against a subpar team (cough cough Jack Del Rio's Jags cough cough) so anything is possible. Not plausible, but possible. We then head off to south beach to visit the steaming pile of mess that is the Miami Dolphins. New coach, no problem? Not really, he has called the team "soft" and by week 13 he may have toughened them up. No one on offense really scares me, Tannehill is still proving his worth and the defense has been subpar at best. The Jets just ran all over London on them. It's like they just opened the holes for them. Suh was supposed to plug those! This stretch is where we need to come off the bye strong and dismantle everyone.

Fearless prediction:
vs. Jags - W, vs. Rams - W, @Browns - W, @Dolphins - W
Okay so we have started to turn the season around and are finally pushing for what could possibly, maybe, hopefully a playoff season!

Then our final four games set in. There is some good news. Three out of our final four are at home. Especially with one of those being the Seahawks that is great news! The bad news is that Seattle is more than likely going to be in one of their playoff stretches where they are winning constantly. More than likely both teams will have the longest winning streak in the league at that time (unless no one wants to beat the Pats). Unfortunately I don't think our team has an answer for Jimmy Graham nor do we have a stellar playmaker to let loose on the legion of boom. The only hope is that they lay a stinker coming across the country. Another lucky home game is that against the Chiefs. Two places I would like to avoid playing in are Arrowhead in KC and Century Link in Seattle. KC has been playing a rough schedule so far but they have not been a good road team especially against good teams. The third game in the stretch is against every Raven fans favorite team to hate, the Steelers. By that time they should be running full throttle with Big Ben and Martivis Bryant back in the lineup. They also have a new kicker to blame other than Josh Scobee when they lose. Generally we split the season series with the Steelers unless they are especially bad or hurt. This could be a year that we sweep but it all depends on how our defense performs. They played like garbage against AJ Green so being at home won't matter when this high powered offense comes to town. Especially since you know Big Ben has revenge on his mind. We then finish the season on the road in Cincinnati where I will more than likely have to eat crow as they get ready for another postseason "run". I said they would be terrible, I said they wouldn't matter in the division, I said they would miss the playoffs and I admit, as of right now I'm wrong. By week 17 who knows where they will be, doubtful they will be undefeated but may need to win to lock up the division. These four games are going to determine whether we make or break our chances at the playoffs. Especially with two of the last four being against teams in the division that are fighting for the same spots as us.

Fearless prediction:
vs. Seahawks - L, vs Chiefs - W, vs. Steelers - W, @Bengals - L
This would bring us to a 10-6 record which will probably only get us a wild card spot. Way better than what we all were thinking at the beginning of the season.

If this all plays out like I think it will, we will be laughing (or kicking ourselves) about how this season started. Out of all of the quarters, that last four at season's end are going to be rough. All could be playoff teams that we play, but it will lead to tons of drama in the last month of the season. If we manage to pull this off its going to have me like...

Five Things I Hate About...the Pittsburgh Steelers

I feel like I have seen that game before. Back and forth, being on the losing end of yet another low time amount TD to AJ Green. It's getting old boys! We still believe! Well some of us do, some of us go on talk radio and lose our mind! The one thing that never gets old, hating on the Steelers. Now I have had some posts where it was hard to come up with five things. For this, you mean I only need five?

1) Why oh why did they have to be so good in the 70s

credit: Amazon

This one is personal. My wife grew up around the time of Terry Bradshaw and the steel curtain battling it out with the Cowboys (her dad's team). While I thank the football God's she isn't a damn Boys fan I have to remember that she is a hated rivals fan. Now I have to go through life getting asked stupid questions like, "How did this happen?" Or hearing fun things directed towards her like, "go home bitch!,"or, "I knew there was a reason I liked your wife." Guess which fan says what in those previous interactions. If they could have just sucked like they did in the 3 decades prior that would have been fantastic. Alas, they didn't, so I have to stare at a black and white framed photo of Bradshaw on my wife's nightstand. Three pictures on that damn thing, Bradshaw, our daughter and our first dog. Notice there was no mention of me in there. DAAAAAAAAAAAAMN YOOOOOOOOOOOOOU BRAAAAAAAAAADSHAAAAAAW!

Eh, I got the wedding photo over the bed. Suck it Bradshaw!

2) Wishy Washy Fan Reactions to Michael Vick

credit: NFL Memes

Some fans, could care less. "He served his time blah blah blah here we go blah blah black and yellow blah blah terrible towel blah blah QUEST FOR 7 blah blah."  I know, I know....Ray Rice. I heard it already! Am I condoning what either of them did? No. Did I support Rice when it all went down? No. However, your new backup served time for running a dog fighting ring where multiple dogs were killed and mistreated. My guy punched his future wife. Just sayin'. Your QBs tend to make poor decisions. Hoping for more from Vick on Thursday.

I personally enjoy talking to the ones who hate the move...like the wife. "I...can't believe they signed him. I'm embarrassed. I don't know if I can support them." Did I mention the dog photo on the nightstand over me? Okay, now that we're clear...

3) Hines Ward's face

credit: steelers.com

That smile probably means he just legally blind side blocked the hell out of somebody and gave them a concussion. Ward has the same effect as Derek Jeter had/has on me. I hate/respect him. Ward was a warrior and one of the reasons that the Steeler/Raven rivalry is so great today. Would I have taken him on my team? Oh hell yeah. Would I have enjoyed seeing him fall through the ground in The Dark Knight Rises? Bane is an ass hat for NOT doing that. Did I enjoy seeing him get blown away in The Walking Dead? I would have, if he would have been on screen for more than 10 seconds. I do take some pleasure knowing he had to sit through all the time of having the makeup put on for only a few seconds of work...however, still awesome to have been on the show. DAMN YOU WARD! EVEN IN RETIREMENT WE STILL HATE YOU! Admit it, you know you boo when NBC is in town and he shows up. He feeds off those like a warlock feeds off tears.

credit: examiner.com

4) Joey Porter is still a douche

I have hated this guy for as long as I can remember. It pains me to still see him on the damn sideline. I mostly hate him for one play in particular. Way back in my drunken youth (2004) we were playing the Steelers here at the big crab cake. Todd Heeeeeeeeeeeeap (yeah we started that before your little Heeeeeeeeeeeath chant d-bags) came back from a play and was limping badly. He had, what looked like, hurt his ankle on the play and the Ravens were rushing to the line to spike the ball to stop the clock. Porter, in his infinite wisdom, pushed Heap to the ground as Boller spiked the ball. Porter denied it as a cheap shot and said Heap could have been faking and that this is just football. After that moment I busted my roommates chops and called my friend (and future wife) to call her player an a$$hole. They both gave the same defense. 

Probably cause they were butthurt to have lost to a Kyle Boller led Ravens team, 30-13. I don't blame you, if I lost to a pile of garbage in a game of Madden I'd be pissed to.

5) There is no arguing with SOME of their fans

Now, some of them do actually have some damn sense. Just like some Ravens fans(stop stereotyping us Steeler fan). True football heads are hard to come by but when you can have an educated conversation with a rival fan without ever hearing the phrase, "WE HAVE 6!," or "QUEST FOR 7!" It's a beautiful thing. Like seeing a rainbow, finding the pot of gold at the end of said rainbow and enjoying an ice cold one as you swim around your new riches. However with Steeler fans it's like seeing a freaking unicorn. It never happens. Most keep that stupid title comment in their back pocket along with "hate us cause they ain't us" which is just a totally overused phrase that needs to just die. The people that use that phrase are usually the ones that try to bet on games with you before you even know who is going to be on the team. Listen here Mitch, can we get to March before you want me to drop a 50 spot on the game? K! Thaaaaaaaaanks.

I am shocked that took more than 10 minutes to type up! I'm disappointed, that I didn't have more hate! The thing is with this team, we all have plenty. While I haven't been to a Ravens Steelers game in nearly a decade I can honestly say that those were the most intense games I went to. I saw more fights pregame than anyone can imagine and would almost bet to see more at the game were I there on Thursday. Hopefully the Ravens put up a good showing cause you know with Vick out there its going to be a dog fight. Waka waka kids!

credit: muppethub.com

Only Just a Dream

If you are reading this now than good for you! You weren't one of the thousands who were arrested during Sunday night's riot after the Dolphins beatdown the Ravens on Sunday. Ryan Tannehill looked like Tom Brady out there throwing for nearly 400 yards and five TDs. Mike Wallace had a career day, it was like the old days when he torched us in Pittsburgh.

Lamar Miller totaled 175 yards with a TD along with the defense taking two more to the house in what was a beatdown of epic proportions. Losing 59-15, only mustering field goals from unfortunately injured Justin Tucker, now out for the year. The radio waves(and Central Booking) have been filled with nothing but negativity and pissed off Ravens fans.

Not buying it? Me either. This town has been just losing it lately when it comes to Orioles baseball and the Ravens. Luckily they won this past Sunday. After a slow start they turned it around to easily win on the road. Something that hasn't been easy for them this season. After a three game road losing streak the Ravens have now won two in a row. One more and that's a winning streak, it has happened before. Everyone got involved in the offense with clearly two of our recent stars, Justin Forsett and Torrey Smith, hampered by injuries. We had a Lorenzo Taliaferro sighting and Kamar Aiken filled in quite nicely for Torrey. Both players had career days and look to continue to do that this week against the less than subpar 2-11 London, er I mean, Jacksonville Jaguars.

The schedule has been a focus of my past few posts for the simple fact that the only team in the last three for the Ravens that scares me is the Texans. A road game and J. J. Watt never spells success to me. The good news is that Pittsburgh also has a rough go heading to Atlanta this week (they just don't play well against the NFC South) while San Diego welcomes Pey Pey and the Broncos. By Monday we could be in a playoff position with our eyes on the division should Cincinnati falter.

The phone lines at radio stations will be going nuts, all the liquor stores will be sold out of Natty Boh (BLASPHEMY!), fireworks will be shot off (Katy Perry's "Firework" will be overplayed), people will be missing work(hangovers), Skins fans will slowly creep away from Landover to appreciate a quality franchise, for every ecstatic Ravens fan there will be 25 pissed off Steeler fans when/if they miss the postseason, my editor might get more creative blogs from me, THE LIST IS ENDLESS! THIS IS MADNESS! NO! THIS IS SPAR...BALTIMORE!

That being said, we handle business against a scrappy Jacksonville team while resting a few beat up players (Torrey and Forsett) and we are setting ourselves up for a nice little playoff run. Even in our Super Bowl year we didn't have that. We had the division locked up with a couple games to play. The suspense is a killer but a nice one that would want to cuddle first.